The deadly strike occurred around 6:32 p.m. and was the 15th lightning-related death in the United States this year and the sixth in Florida. There were 15 lightning fatalities as of Sept. 10, 2025. The year ended with 21 total fatalities from lightning strikes.
On September 8, AccuWeather expert meteorologists were tracking pop-up thunderstorms across southern and central Florida. At 6:16 p.m., the AccuLightning Network™ detected a lightning strike that occurred 14 miles west of the hotel where the fatality occurred, notifying AccuWeather app users within 15 miles of the strike about lightning in their area.
The AccuLightning Network shows the strike at 6:16 p.m. was the only one to occur within 15 miles of the hotel before the fatal strike at 6:32 p.m. This underscores the dangers of what is known as “a bolt from the blue” where people often have limited visual and audible clues to looming dangers.
“A ‘bolt from the blue’ is a colloquial term for lightning that originates from a thunderstorm but travels beyond the area of rain before striking the ground, sometimes where skies appear relatively clear,” said Jacob Hinson, AccuWeather meteorologist and Operations Manager of the AccuLightning Network. “That’s what makes it especially dangerous is that people may not realize they are still close enough to a thunderstorm to be at risk from lightning.”
Lightning Activity Developed Rapidly
AccuLightning Network data identified 71 lightning events within 15 miles of the property between 6 and 7:30 p.m. EDT, with the highest concentration of cloud-to-ground strikes occurring between 6:40 and 7:10 p.m.
- 30 cloud-to-ground strikes
- 41 intra-cloud lightning events
- First detected event: 6:16 p.m.
- Last detected event: 7:31 p.m.
- 29 of 30 detected cloud-to-ground strikes had negative polarity
The strongest detected strike during the analysis reached 60.1 kiloamps at 6:44 p.m. about 3 miles from the location.
“This is a striking example of how lightning danger can emerge very quickly,” Hinson added. “The first bolt from a developing thunderstorm can be just as dangerous as any that follows. Lightning can strike suddenly, even when there has been little or no lightning activity nearby beforehand. That means people should not assume they are safe simply because a storm has not yet produced frequent lightning. As a thunderstorm develops and strengthens, the lightning threat can change rapidly, making timely, location-specific information especially important for people making decisions outdoors. As a rule of thumb, if you can hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning.”
AccuLightning Network
The AccuLightning Network™ (ALN) is a ground-based lightning detection network providing proprietary strike data including timely, localized lightning intelligence, live lightning strike data, and location-based Lightning Proximity Notifications for free within the AccuWeather app, helping people and businesses improve situational awareness and make better weather-impacted decisions.
Disclaimer
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure & Legal Disclaimer
AI Content Policy.
To provide our readers with timely and comprehensive coverage, South Florida Reporter uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in producing certain articles and visual content.
Articles: AI may be used to assist in research, structural drafting, or data analysis. All AI-assisted text is reviewed and edited by our team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our editorial standards.
Images: Any imagery generated or significantly altered by AI is clearly marked with a disclaimer or watermark to distinguish it from traditional photography or editorial illustrations.
General Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service. In no event shall South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service.
The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice. The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components.
